JAM: History

History of JAMs in NZ Branch

Junior Associate Membership had been in existence in the New Zealand Branch for many years and was administrated by the Secretary. As Junior dancing was becoming more wide spread throughout New Zealand, the increased membership dictated the need for a Special Interest Committee to help in the expansion and encouragement of dancers and groups.

The JAM Committee

During the Council Meetings of the New Zealand Branch held in Nelson at the 1996/97 Summer School, a proposal was put forward to form a Junior Associate Membership Committee. This was agreed to and the Inaugural committee comprising of Raynor Stratford, Katharine Hoskyn, Wendy Jaeger, Deanne Corps and Debbie Roxburgh began its first year.

Registration

The Committee’s first task was to update the register of young dancers and to produce their first newsletter for 1997. Registration involved Clubs/Classes and dancers and resulted in 187 members and 16 Classes receiving newsletter number 2. By the end of 1997 ( newsletter number 4 ), 318 JAM Members in those same 16 Classes were registered with the New Zealand Branch.

Newsletters

The Committee also introduced the regular newsletters and competitions were held to design a JAM logo and decide a name for the newsletter – ‘Jigs and More’. The newsletter has continued to keep JAMs up to date with what is going on and also given them a voice where they can share their views and experiences.

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